The Cinema Museum of Iran, located in Tehran, stands as a unique repository of the country’s cinematic heritage. The museum showcases a rich collection of photographs, documents, vintage equipment, and personal items of renowned filmmakers and voice actors, alongside behind-the-scenes artifacts, film posters, and memorabilia associated with Iranian cinema.
Historical Background
Around 170 years ago, Mohammad Shah Qajar, grandson of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, commissioned a palace in the Mahmoudiyeh district of Tehran called Mohammadiyeh Palace. After his death, the palace remained unfinished. During the same period, royal courtiers constructed gardens and estates nearby. Among them, Hossein Ali Moayer-ol-Mamalek, one of Fath-Ali Shah’s sons-in-law, built a garden and estate in what is now known as Bāgh-e Ferdows. This charming garden was designed in the traditional Chahar Bagh (Four Gardens) style, featuring symmetrical axes, water features, trees, a central pavilion, and other classic elements of Persian garden architecture.
After the Islamic Revolution, Bāgh-e Ferdows (Garden of Paradise) became home to the Islamic Film Training Center, and in 1997, it was registered as a national heritage site.
Foundation of the Cinema Museum
The Cinema Museum of Iran officially opened in June 1998 on Lalehzar Street, thanks to the efforts of late Abbas Kiarostami, Ezzatollah Entezami, and other prominent figures of Iranian cinema. Its goal was to document, preserve, and showcase the nation’s cinematic legacy. In September 2002, the museum relocated to its current home at Bāgh-e Ferdows, inaugurated by then-President Seyed Mohammad Khatami. The museum is now housed in the garden’s historic mansion, which features nine exhibition halls covering diverse aspects of cinema.
Architecture and Spaces
The two-story mansion blends Qajar-era architecture with Iranian and European styles. Its intricate plasterwork on columns and ceilings, along with ornate mirrored windows, captures the attention of every visitor. The museum’s displays extend beyond the mansion into the garden, where statues and busts of renowned Iranian figures, including Ezzatollah Entezami, Sohravardi (Sheikh al-Ishraq), and others, are on display. The garden also houses three cinema halls: Ferdows, Cinematograph, and Tamaddon, where visitors can watch contemporary Iranian films.
Collections and Exhibits
• Photographs: Thousands of images from film sets, behind-the-scenes activities, and cinematic events, dating back to the early days of Iranian cinema.
• Screenplays: Approximately 400 scripts of produced films.
• Posters: Over 2,500 film posters collected since the 1930s, with a portion on display.
• Awards: Domestic and international awards received by Iranian cinema, primarily from the post-revolution era.
• Books: Around 8,000 volumes, spanning early publications to contemporary works.
• Documents and Records: Some 3,000 items, including governmental documents, contracts, and historical records covering roughly 90 years.
• Films and Videos: Archive of 1,000 Iranian feature films and 500 short trailers.
• Press: About 5,000 publications, the oldest dating back to 1930.
• Cinematography Equipment: Nearly 300 historic devices, some dating back to 1930, showcasing the evolution of Iranian film technology.
• Costumes, Sets, and Makeup: Historical examples of film costumes, set designs, and makeup, carefully collected to preserve cinematic heritage.
Museum Halls
Visitors enter the museum from the garden via a grand staircase. The seven halls are arranged across two floors:
Hall 1 – The Arrival of Cinema in Iran: Early screenings, city theaters, pioneers, and vintage cinematography equipment.
Hall 2 – Cinema from 1951–2001: The evolution of Iranian cinema over five decades.
Hall 3 – International Recognition: Awards and global presence of Iranian films.
Hall 4 – War and Sacred Defense Cinema
Hall 5 – Armenians and Iranian Cinema
Hall 6 – Children and Youth Cinema
Hall 7 – Sound, Dubbing, and Music Studios
Visitor Experience
The Cinema Museum of Iran offers a unique, immersive journey into the history of Iranian and world cinema. Visitors can view rare films in a small historic theater, explore a wide array of awards, personal artifacts, and puppets used in films, and experience a nostalgic trip through cinematic history.
Located within the serene Bāgh-e Ferdows, the museum also offers amenities such as a café and restaurant, providing a peaceful retreat from the city’s bustle while allowing guests to enjoy Iran’s rich cinematic legacy.